Gershen wins ICMA Honorary Membership for his contributions to Aurora

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA), a professional and educational organization for cities, towns, counties, and regional entities throughout the world, has awarded an Honorary Membership to Dr. Jay Gershen who serves as the Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. The award ceremonies will take place at the ICMA 95^th Annual Conference held in Montreal, Canada, September 13-16. Honorary membership in ICMA is awarded to an individual outside of the profession of local government management because of his or her distinguished public service and contributions to the improvement and strengthening of local government.

In his role as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs, Dr. Gershen played an active role in consolidating the University of Colorado at Denver and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center at its new location in Aurora. Colorado. He is the “face” of the University in Aurora.

When the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora was put on the Base Realignment and Closure list, officials from the Health Sciences Center, University of Colorado Hospital and the city of Aurora presented an innovative proposal to the Department of Defense to reuse the decommissioned base to build a world-class, academic health and life sciences center, including state-of-the-art health care facilities and a bioscience center. Dr. Gershen played a leadership role in master planning the project as well as direct involvement in public and private fundraising. He developed critical community partnerships with the business community that was instrumental in convincing policy makers at the State and Federal levels to appropriate dollars for the project. Dr. Gershen worked closely with Aurora elected and administrative officials to ensure that this $4.3 billion public/private partnership project was a success.

As do many municipalities, Aurora depends on a strong volunteer network to assist in leadership and advisory roles. Among his many volunteer commitments, Dr. Gershen has served the city and community through his involvement in many organizations. He serves as the Chair of the Aurora Economic Development Council, the Chair of the Colorado Colfax Marathon, a member on the President’s Advisory Council at the Community College of Aurora. Dr. Gershen also serves on the Blue Ribbon Citizen’s Panel for Aurora and he has been working closely with the Mayor, City Council and City Manager to foster closer ties and communication between the University and the city.

Dr. Gershen has served as Vice Chancellor for External Affairs since 2006 and was Executive Vice Chancellor, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center from 1997 to 2006. Dr. Gershen has held other academic and administrative positions such as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research. Before coming to Colorado, Dr. Gershen served as professor and Dean at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry.

For more information: ICMA, Dr. Gershen